103 CMR 973.00 — County correctional facilities -- safety and emergency standards

103 CMR: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION

103 CMR 973.00: COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES -- SAFETY AND EMERGENCY

STANDARDS Section 973.01: Compliance With Life Safety Codes (Required) 973.02: Emergency Evacuation Plans (Required) 973.03: Fire Prevention Regulations (Required) 973.04: Fire Safety Officer (Required) 973.05: Fire Alarm System (Required) 973.06: Fire Retardant Furnishings and Materials (Required) 973.07: Prompt Release Procedures (Required) 973.08: Fire Prevention Training (Required) 973.09: Emergency Power 973.10: Control, Use, and Storage of Dangerous Materials (Required)

103 CMR 973.00 County correctional facilities -- safety and emergency standards

973.01 Compliance With Life Safety Codes (Required)

973.01: Compliance With Life Safety Codes (Required) There shall be documentation, at each county correctional facility, by the public safety authority having jurisdiction, that structural safety and fire safety of the facility complies with applicable codes as required by statute and to the extent not inconsistent with essential security requirements. The authority having jurisdiction shall approve any variances, exceptions, or equivalencies that do not constitute a serious life safety threat to the occupants of the county correctional facility. There shall be plans of action for addressing deficiencies within a reasonable time period.

973.02 Emergency Evacuation Plans (Required)

973.02: Emergency Evacuation Plans (Required) (1) Each county correctional facility shall have a written evacuation plan prepared in the event of fire or major emergency. This plan shall be approved by the public safety authority having jurisdiction. (2) The plan shall be reviewed annually and updated as needed. (3) The plan shall be disseminated to local and state public safety departments inthe geographic area. (4) The plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (a) location of building/room floor plans; (b) use of exit signs and directional arrows; (c) publicly posted evacuation diagrams; (d) at least quarterly drills in all locations; and, (e) staff drills even when evacuation of extremely dangerous inmates may not be possible.

973.03 Fire Prevention Regulations (Required)

973.03: Fire Prevention Regulations (Required) Written policy and procedure shall specify the county correctional facility's fire prevention regulations and practices and shall include, but not be limited to: (1) Provision for an adequate fire protection service; (2) A system of fire inspections to include testing of fire safety equipment and systems at least quarterly unless a different periodic frequency is approved by the AHJ; (3) An annual fire inspection by the authority having jurisdiction; and (4) Availability of fire hoses or extinguishers at appropriate locations throughout the facility, as directed by applicable regulations from the Department of Public Safety and the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards, or as approved by the authority having jurisdiction.

103 CMR: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION

973.04 Fire Safety Officer (Required)

973.04: Fire Safety Officer (Required) (1) Written policy and procedure shall specify the appointment of a qualified fire safety officer to perform comprehensive monthly fire safety inspections. (2) There shall be a fire safety inspection of each area of the county correctional facility at least weekly by a qualified employee.

973.05 Fire Alarm System (Required)

973.05: Fire Alarm System (Required) (1) Each county correctional facility shall have a fire alarm and automatic detection system capable of alerting personnel at the control center to the presence of fire or smoke in the facility. (2) The system shall also include a direct and reliable means of communication with the local Fire Department. (3) The system, or a plan for addressing deficiencies within a reasonable time period, shall be approved by the authority having jurisdiction.

973.06 Fire Retardant Furnishings and Materials (Required)

973.06: Fire Retardant Furnishings and Materials (Required) The selection and purchasing of fire retardant furnishings and materials shall include, but not be limited to: (1) For the selection and purchase of facility furnishings, specifications will include the fire safety and flame spread performance requirements of the materials selected as approved by the AHJ; and (2) Each county correctional facility shall develop regulations to limit possessions so as not create any fire hazards.

973.07 Prompt Release Procedures (Required)

973.07: Prompt Release Procedures (Required) Written policy and procedure shall specify the means for immediate release of inmates from locked areas in case of emergency, and provide for a secondary means of immediate release.

973.08 Fire Prevention Training (Required)

973.08: Fire Prevention Training (Required) Each county correctional facility shall conduct in-service training for all personnel in fire prevention, detection, use of emergency fire equipment, and evacuation procedures, and shall seek the assistance of local fire authorities, or other qualified persons in this effort.

973.09 Emergency Power

973.09: Emergency Power (1) Each county correctional facility shall have an emergency power source capable of providing power to maintain essential lights, power and communications. (2) Power generators shall be tested tested quarterly or in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. (3) All new county correctional facilities shall have an emergency power source capable of providing 100% power for the normal operation of the facility.

973.10 Control, Use, and Storage of Dangerous Materials (Required)

973.10: Control, Use, and Storage of Dangerous Materials (Required) Written policy and procedure shall govern the control, use, and storage of all flammable, toxic, and caustic materials, in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The procedures shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

103 CMR: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION

973.10 continued

973.10: continued (1) Any flammable or combustible work materials shall be used only under staff supervision and shall be locked in a secure fire resistant storage area as approved by the authority having jurisdiction; (2) Precautions shall be taken in the use and secure storage of all toxic and caustic substances: any substance that may, through chemical reaction, cause harm to an individual. Use of such substances shall occur only under careful staff supervision; and (3) Each county correctional facility shall provide noncombustible receptacles for combustible refuse at appropriate locations throughout the facility's living quarters. Special containers shall be provided for flammable liquids and for rags used with flammable liquids. All receptacles and containers shall be emptied and cleaned daily. REGULATORY AUTHORITY 103 CMR 973.00: M.G.L. c. 124, § (1), (c), (d) and (q); c. 127, §§ 1A and 1B.

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